Sam Kerr’s World Cup status remains up in the air after fresh photos

Hours out from the Matildas blockbuster clash against Denmark, rumours surrounding Sam Kerr’s availability continue to swirl.

Sam Kerr rumours continue to swirl in the hours leading into the Matildas knockout stage clash against Denmark.

The Australian superstar striker hasn’t featured in the World Cup after picking up a calf injury a day before the opener against Ireland.

Hopes were high ahead of the final group stage contest against Canada that Kerr would take her place in the team, but she remained glued to the bench as the Matildas cruised to a 4-0 victory.

Kerr announced days out from Monday’s contest that she would be playing against Denmark as every match now becomes a do-or-die battle.

But images from the Matildas team walk have only poured fuel on the rumour mill fire with Kerr’s calf still placed in a compression sleeve.

For those of us on Sam Kerr calf-watch, it remained strapped up / in some form of sleeve as the Matildas had their team walk in Sydney ahead of tonight’s R16 clash against Denmark. Photo: FA pic.twitter.com/GWPFNaHdx9

— Daany Saeed (@daanysaeed) August 7, 2023

The image of Kerr walking along with her calf isn’t what Australian fans would have wanted to see ahead of the round of 16 match.

It comes a day after Kerr was sighted standing along the sidelines as the rest of her teammates underwent a training session.

While Kerr, coach Tony Gustavsson and all associated with the squad have talked confidently of the striker facing Denmark, helicopter footage obtained by News Corp shows her still sitting out the majority of training.

Mystery surrounds Kerr’s status. (Photo by Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The 29-year-old has been pictured on an exercise bike at training in recent days and Gustavsson was asked directly about Kerr’s fitness, stating: “We had a nice moment as a team yesterday to see her back with the boots on and touching the ball and be with the team in training.

“It was a very good feeling for her and a very good feeling for the players and the teammates and a very good feeling for me. Today she was off feet … she’s also a player we’ll talk about tonight, about how many minutes is suitable.”

Arriving with the team into Sydney Airport on Saturday, Kerr gave a couple of quick responses to questions about her status.

“Yeah I’m really excited,” she said, showing anything but excitement.

“I will play, yep.”

Australia takes on Denmark at 8:30pm AEST on Monday, with a place in the World Cup quarter-finals on the line.